Hello all:
Here in Cuba, the important news this morning (Sept. 14), the first day
AFTER Hurricane Ivan, is that so far, there are no known deaths.
Hopefully this will indeed be the case!
As of 7am this morning, the provinces of Habana, Ciudad de La Habana and
Isla de la Juventud were returned to "normal" status.
Pinar del Rio, however, is still in Alarm status as it's still under the
"shadow" of Hurricane Ivan. Although Ivan is already some 135 km northwest of the western tip of Pinar, we mustn't forget that the distance covered by its hurricane force winds is 160 km from its eye, and by its tropical storm winds some 325 km from the eye. And it's still moving at its habitual sloggish pace - 15 kph. This means that Pinar will continue to receive Ivan's hurricane force winds for some 11 hours
AFTER Ivan passes Cuban territory, and its tropical storm winds for 22 hours. At 6 this morning, winds in western Pinar were being recorded of between 107 to 135 km per hour. Intense rains are also continuing around the province; in some areas, over 100 mm of rain have fallen in only three hours. Plus there are still coastal inundations not only in Pinar but also in the two Habanas.
Today's televised images from the coastal community of La Coloma in
Pinar show flood waters everywhere and asbestos roofs blown off. But the special custodial brigade that I mentioned yesterday is still there. In fact, all along Pinar's southern coast, all entries and exists into this area is being carefully monitored and the police have set up little stations along all the roads. For instance, when the provincial TV crew went to La Coloma this morning, they were immediately approached by the police and asked to show their identification. Perhaps this is one of the reasons that entire communities are generally so willing to be evacuated: they know that their homes and belongings will be taken care of by specialized brigades. This isn't to say, of course, that there isn't the occasional attempt to rob. After all, Cubans come in as many kinds of human beings as the rest of us. But the structure that Cuba has in place has, as its first priority, the protection and preservation of life, and after that, the protection of economic installations and material belongings. It's an instructive model for all.
Here in the city of Havana, we've had continual rains since yesterday morning. Not what I would call intense, but steady. Also winds with the occasional strong gust. This situation will also continue throughout the day. But even so, things are already returning to normal. Earlier this morning, for instance, the garbage truck passed, with its workers bundled up in their bright yellow slickers.

Meanwhile, we're already monitoring Tropical Depression #11. Let's hope it peters out. Just before Ivan reached the lesser Antilles, tropical depression #10 was playing off the Azores, but after about three days, it dissipated. Hopefully this will also be the case with #11 as well. At the moment, it has sustained winds of 50 kph - it doesn't become an
"official" tropical storm until maximum sustained winds reach between
63-118 kph. It's still a good distance away, so there's lots of time for it to fritter away. I don't think anyone or any country can take another hurricane!
Warm embraces, Susan
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Hurricane Ivan Wrecks Havoc in Cuba's Westernmost Province of Pinar del Rio
Havana, September 14 (RHC)-Hurricane Ivan passed over the tip of the western province of Pinar del Rio last night knocking down power lines, uprooting trees, flooding the coastal region and sending heavy rains and wind into Havana province, the City of
Havana and the Isle of Youth.
On Monday, Ivan's strong winds pounded the town of Cortes in western Pinar del Rio.
The fishing village's over four thousand inhabitants had been evacuated days before the hurricane hit.
Nearly 180 thousand of the province's 730 thousand residents were evacuated to safe areas before the sea began to enter the streets early Monday morning.
Farmers in Pinar del Rio, famous for its tobacco, stored tobacco leaves in safe places and said that fortunately the plants for the next crop were still in their seed beds. More than
50 million pounds of tobacco leaves were hastily gathered up and placed in solid installations to prevent damage.
Cuban meteorologists are still predicting severe conditions throughout Tuesday mostly due to the wide area of rain associated with the powerful hurricane which is now threatening the Gulf States from the Florida Panhandle to Louisiana.
Television broadcasts from several locations have confirmed that Cuba was spared extensive damage compared to the havoc the storm inflicted on other Caribbean nations like Grenada, the Cayman Islands and Jamaica..
Cuba Will Not Accept Aid from the United States, Says Cuban Leader
Pinar del Rio, September 14 (RHC)-Cuban President Fidel Castro reiterated on Monday during his visit to the hurricane-battered western province of Pinar del Rio, that Cuba will

not accept any aid from the United States in reference to the damages of Hurricane Ivan.
The Cuban leader told the national and foreign press in Pinar del Rio that the island is able to resist a hurricane and to recover from its damages.
Last week President Castro characterized as "demagogic" a U.S. offer of 50 thousand dollars in aid for damage done by Hurricane Charley that hit last month and he also rejected any eventual so-called aid from those that have taken aggressive measures against Cuba in the past.
He added that after Hurricane Michelle devastated the island in November 2001,
Washington made a "positive gesture" when it offered aid, and then agreed to Havana's request to instead purchase food from U.S. suppliers to replace its depleted reserves.
However, Fidel Castro stressed that the situation between Cuba and the Untied States has become complicated, in reference to the Bush administration's June 30th measures strengthening its blockade against the island and negatively affecting the Cuban
American community in the United States.
Washington, he said, implemented a series of measures to attempt to destroy the island's economy and starve the Cuban people. Under these circumstances, stated President
Castro, we will not accept any aid from them.
The Cuban President said on Monday during a visit to Pinar del Rio that even if
Washington had offered 100 million or 200 million, Havana would have declined the offer.
Cuba, he noted, has gained experience and unity over the last 45 years against hurricanes, military attacks, the October missile crisis in 1963, and threats and blockades from its most powerful neighbour.
Since 1900, the western province of Pinar del Rio has been affected by 141 tropical storms, of them 68 have passed over the territory and almost 50 have reached the category of hurricanes. The most recent were Hurricanes Isidore and Lili in 2002.
Special Municipality of the Isle of Youth Receives Torrential Rain from Hurricane Ivan
Nueva Gerona, September 14 (RHC)-Constant rain dumped by Hurricane Ivan on
Monday flooded several areas of the special municipality of the Isle of Youth where at least 80 millimetres fell in 24 hours.
In certain areas of the Isle of Youth, which is located south of Havana province, the intense rain reached over 100 millimetres according to Cuban meteorologist, Edgardo
Soler.
The region reported between five to six meter high waves that caused serious flooding in

the southern coastal region of the Isle of Youth.
Though the giant hurricane on Tuesday continued dumping rain on the Isle of Youth,
Cuba's National Civil Defense has placed the special municipality in the Recovery Phase.
Cubana Airlines to Resume International and Domestic Flights on Wednesday
Havana, September 14 (RHC)-Cuba's Civil Aeronautics Institute has announced that taking into account the strong rain and winds as a result of the passing of Hurricane Ivan, international and domestic flights on Cubana Airlines will remain suspended until
Wednesday.
Foreign airlines will inform passengers as to their flights through their representatives in
Cuba.